In February, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) installed a new government in Manipur, a year after former chief minister N Biren Singh resigned amid allegations from Kuki groups that his administration had been biased towards the Meitei community and had mishandled the ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023.
New Government Raises Hopes
Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a Meitei leader, was sworn in as chief minister alongside two deputies representing the Naga and Kuki communities. The arrangement raised hopes that the reconstituted NDA government could help heal the deep divisions between the hill and valley regions and restore some measure of stability.
Renewed Unrest
However, the state is now witnessing a fresh wave of abductions, killings, and protests, posing a significant challenge to the BJP's double-engine sarkar—a term used to describe the party's simultaneous rule at the centre and in the state. The violence has reignited tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities, with both sides accusing each other of targeted attacks.
Protest and Demands
Kuki groups have launched protests demanding better security and the withdrawal of security forces from certain areas. They also allege that the new government continues to favor the Meitei community. Meanwhile, Meitei groups have called for action against what they describe as militant activities in the hills.
The central government has deployed additional paramilitary forces to the state, but the situation remains volatile. Political analysts suggest that the BJP's ability to manage the crisis will be crucial for its electoral prospects in the region.
